Happy Father’s Day

“Any man can be a Father, but it takes a special person to be called Dad.”

(The Dads and Moms in this world are the people, the real parents, who loved us everyday… and who were there for the good, the bad, the fun, the boring, the daily routine, the tough and the special  times.  They are the parents who invested in us… with their time, their money, their energy, their advice, their wisdom, their love...)

A few years ago, I received a Father’s Day card from my son Tim. On the front of it was a picture of a little boy sitting up in bed. Terror was written on his face. His hair was standing straight up, and the card said, "Dad, I want to thank you."

Well, I wondered, a Father’s Day card with this boy terrorized, had I done that to my son? I opened the card up and it said, "I want to thank you for helping me kill all the dragons of my mind so I could go out and fight the real ones."

Gift Little Kids Can Make For Dad

Fill a jar with Hersheys Hugs and Kisses.  Take one pair of new sports socks and one pair of gloves (gardening gloves, work gloves, etc.)  Tack the socks together toe to toe.  This makes a pair of arms.  Tack one glove to the open end of each of the socks.  Now you have arms and hands.  Wrap the arms and hands around the jar a couple of times, crossing the hands at the front and tack together.  Attach this poem:

DADDY,
If all these Kisses aren't enough,
There's two hands to help with garden stuff.
If all these hugs don't work their charm,
There's two arms to help keep you warm.
If this gift doesn't show how much we care,
We have REAL hugs & kisses to share!

  The idea for creating a day for children to honor their fathers, in the U.S., began in Spokane, Washington. A woman by the name of Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909.

        Having been raised by her father, William Jackson Smart, after her mother died, Sonora wanted her father to know how special he was to her. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.

        In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City. Father's Day was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress in 1956. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June. So Father's Day was born in memory and gratitude by a daughter who thought that her father and all good fathers should be honored with a special day just like we honor our mothers on Mother's Day.

It can be your birth dad, a stepdad, your grandpa or favorite uncle. It can even be that terrific neighbor, who is always ready to give you a hand. It's a time and occasion to say, "I love you," in simple and meaningful ways.  Fixing someone dinner is a great way to show them you love them!!

Perfect Father’s Day Menu Suggestions (Depending on the Dad)

Chicken Breasts a l'Orange or Salmon Almondine With Rice, BBQ’d Steaks or Ribs with Homemade Fries, or “His” Favorite

A Big Salad with Garlic Bread

Serve with a Nice Wine or Imported Beer

A Yummy Dessert Like: Homemade Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookies or Brownies

Father’s Day Recipe(s) of the Day

Chicken Breasts a l'Orange With Rice

INGREDIENTS

• 1 box(es) quick-cooking long-grain and wild rice mix (6-ounce)
• 1 tablespoon(s) margarine or butter
• 4 medium skinless, boneless chicken-breast halves (about 1 1/4 pounds)
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• 2 medium oranges
• 1/3 cup(s) sweet orange marmalade
• 2 tablespoon(s) red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon(s) cornstarch
• 1 small garlic clove thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS

• Prepare rice mix as label directs.
• Meanwhile, in nonstick 10-inch skillet, melt margarine over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; turn chicken over and cook 5 to 7 minutes longer or until juices run clear when thickest part of breast is pierced with tip of knife. Transfer chicken to plate; keep warm.
• While chicken cooks, from 1 orange, grate 1/4 teaspoon peel. Squeeze 1/2 cup juice into 2-cup liquid measuring cup or bowl. Cut off any peel and white pith from second orange. Holding orange over same liquid measure to catch juice, cut on either side of membranes to release each section, allowing fruit and juice to drop into cup. Squeeze membrane to release any excess juice. You should have at least 3/4 cup orange juice and sections. Stir in marmalade, vinegar, cornstarch, orange peel, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Add garlic to drippings in skillet; cook 15 seconds, stirring. Add orange-juice mixture; heat to boiling. Boil 3 minutes or until sauce thickens slightly. Return chicken with any juices to skillet; heat through, turning to coat with sauce.

Triple Chocolate-Cassis Brownies

Makes one 13-inch x 9-inch pan (30 brownies)

INGREDIENTS

Love at first bite. Serve these dense fudgelike brownies in small pieces. You can create variations on the theme by substituting other fruit-flavored liqueurs, such as raspberry; ruby port also adds a nice touch. For a dessert pairing, pour small glasses of raspberry-flavored liqueur, such as Framboise and follow with coffee topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings.

6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 cup butter
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup Crème de Cassis liqueur 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt

Chocolate Tip:  Chocolate should be stored, tightly wrapped, in a cool (60° to 70°F), dry place, where it will keep for years. Because it scorches easily, melt it in a double boiler over barely simmering water or in a microwave oven on medium power.

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 13-inch x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Combine the chocolates with the butter and cocoa powder in the top pan of a double boiler over barely simmering water. Stir as the chocolates melt until smooth. Remove the top portion of the double boiler; let stand until the mixture is lukewarm, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, lightly beat the eggs in a large bowl. Add the sugars; beat with an electric mixer at high speed until thick and light-colored, about 5 minutes. Beat in the Crème de Cassis and vanilla. Add the chocolate mixture and beat until well blended. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour and salt; beat just until combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a rubber spatula. Bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted 2 inches from the center comes out slightly moist.

Cool the brownies in the pan on a rack. When completely cool, cut the brownies into 30 squares. (Use a sharp knife and dip it in cool water for clean cuts.) Refrigerate the brownies with wax paper between layers in a covered pan.

Happy Father's Day to all the Daddys in the World!!

Many of us move from two legged kids to four legged kids, kids with feathers and scales and of course grandkids.  So here is a hat tip to all the great pet dads, granddads, uncles, big brothers, godfathers and foster dads who often step in… as well!!

Dad Are You Part of the Great Conversation?

We are living in both amazing and terrifying times!  Help make sure that your kids have the same future opportunities that you did.  Be the example.  Teach them about America’s greatness and freedom.  And help them find a relationship with God!